Elevator-control mechanism.



F. M. FITZGERALD & R. S. HATCH.

ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 050.1. 1913.

1,149,746. I Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1- I m U I m QLUMIIA PLANOGIAPH (10., WASHINGTON. B- C.

F. M. FITZGERALD & R. S. HATCH.

ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1. I913.

1 ,149,74:6. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a z @WM couzuau PLANOGRAI'II co..wAsrgmn'mN. n. c.

v F. M. FITZGERALD & R. S. HATCH.

ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 020.1. I913.

1,1 49,746 Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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F. M. FITZGERALD & R. s. HATCH.

ELEVATOR CONTROL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 1. I913.

1,149,746. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wz'fnaszsasv I22 z/en tor/ I /7 lla w-UIIIA PLANOGiAPI'I 30.. WAIHXNGTON. D. C.

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sra'rns arana orrion FRANK M. FITZGERALD AND RALPH S. HATCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOBS OF ONE-THIRD T0 FRANK M. HATCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELEVATOR-CONTROL MECHANISM.

means.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed December 1, 1913. Serial No. 803,918.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that we, FRANK M. Frrz- GERALD and RALPH S. HATCH, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago, in the oountyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevator-Control Mechanism, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of our specification.

Our invention relates to mechanism more especially intended to control elevators,

having for its object the provision of means whereby the operation of the elevator will be controlled throngs the position of the elevator doors; the invention being illustrated as applied to the doors of the elevator-shaft, at the respective landings or stops for the elevator, so thatflmovement of the elevator either in an upward or downward direction is made impossible while the door or gate leading to the elevator-shaft is open.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the gates or doors of the elevator-shaft will be locked against movement until the elevator reaches a predetermined point relative to the particular gate or door, thereby preventing any undue manipulation of the doors.

A further object. of the invention is the provision of means whereby the position of the locking means, by reason of improper or unusual manipulation, will control the set forth in the following detailed descrip tion.

In the drawings :.Figure 1 illustrates in elevation, and from the interior thereof, a portion of the front wall of an elevator cab together with a portion of the gates of the elevator-shaft, with the portion of our improved mechanism controlled thereby being shown in dotted lines. -Fig. 2 is a partial. plan and partial horizontal sectional view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of an elevator cab and a portion of the shaft or landing and one end or edge of a gate, with our improved mechanism being shown in side elevation. Fig. 4 is a detailed view, in elevation, of a portion of the mechanism adapted to be secured to the gate of the elevator-shaft. Fig. 5 is a top plan view there of with a portion of the top bar or member of the frame, shown in Fig. 4, broken away. Fig. 6 is a sectional. View taken on the line 66 of- Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the electric switch of the elevator-controlling -mechanism, showing said switch in front elevation, with the casing or boX in section. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7,1ooking in the direction of the arrows, showing a portion of the mechanism or tripper bar located on the outside of the elevator-cab- Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, lookingdownwardly. Fig. 10 is a detail View of a'modified' form of switch for controlling the electrical circuit, being a sectionalplan view similar to Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view and partial elevation of a modified form of the portion of control-mechanism shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is a top plan and partial sectional view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11. Fig.1?) illustrates the gate looking and auxiliary controlling portion of our improved mechanism in elevation, showing the same attached to the side of an elevatorcab and to the floor or landing of the elevator-shaft, the latter being shown in section. Fig. 14 is a partial plan and partial sectional view of the portion of our improved mechanism shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a detail view of a portion of the auxiliary control mechanism shown in Fig. 13, with the casing or box of a portion of this mechanism, which is attached to the cab, being shown in section and the mechanism therein in elevation.

In the exemplification of our invention, we have shown the same applied to an electrically operated elevator, although it will be understood that the same is equally as well adapted to a hydraulic elevator; and we have chosen to show its application to the doors of the elevator-shaft, wherein the elevator-shaft is provided with double doors, as clearly shown at A and B in Fig. 1, although the invention may be as readily applied to a situation where but one door is employed, and also to the doors of the elevator cab itself if desired, without the necessity of in any way altering the mechanism.

The invention comprises a suitable supporting frame or bracket 20, which may be of any suitable form to give the desired support and rigidity. This may be accomplished by providing the supporting strut or brace at the lower side thereof, thus practically forming the triangular frame with the side of the gate A as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. The end or side portions of the frame 20 are so formed as to permit of sliding movement of the actuating rod or member 21, which may be in the nature of a flat bar or rod and preferably provided with suitable slots as at 22, 22, through which the depending portions of the gate hangers 23, 23, extend. The openings for the depending portions of the hangers are preferably in the nature of the slots 22 so as to permit of lateral movement of rod or bar 21 independent of that of the gate A to which the supportingframe 20 for rod or bar 21 is secured. The bar or rod 21 may be made continuous from end to end, but is preferably shown composed of several members or portions, with the spring-controlled end 21 of the actuating rod, preferably made in the nature of a round or cylindrical bar with a bifurcated end, which receives one end of the forward or engaging portion where they are preferably bolted together as shown at 21 At a proper point, the rod 21 is shown pro vided with the yoke member 21, more clearly shown in Figs 6, the ends whereof provide suitable bearing for pin 24: to which a knocker or striking finger 25 is secured, so that movement of the actuating rod will be imparted to the knocker or striking finger 25 as will be hereinafter set forth. The end 21 of the actuating rod is also provided at a suitable point with a collar 26 maintained in place by any suitablemeans, preferably by a cotter pin 26 which extends through the collar 26 and holes in rod 21; the collar 26 constituting means whereby the pressure of spring 27, located intermediate of collar 26 and one end of supporting frame 20, is imparted to the actuating rod to return the latter to normal position. By reason of the construction of rod 21 as shown and described, the rod may be readily adapted to doors of different widths by simply replacing the engaging end of the rod with a portion of proper length, as the two parts may be readily disconnected at the point 21 thus obviating the necessity for replacing the entire rod.

in the particular construction shown, we provide the holding bracket 20 with the vertically disposed plate or member 28, see Fig. 4, located at a point in proximity to the point where the knocker or striking finger member 29.

25 is secured at its inner end to the actuating rod 21. Member 28 is preferably in the nature of a bracket, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, being secured to the horizontally disposed parallel members of bracket 20 by screws or bolts. The plate or member 28 is slotted, as clearly shown at 28 in Figs. 4: and 5, at which point, preferably intermediate of the ends of the slot 28 we provide a rotatable controlling member 29 adapted to rotate about a vertically disposed axis; the member 29 being provided with an opening extending diametrically therethrough for the passage of the knocker or striking finger 25. The opening in member 29 is made of a size sufficient to permit of free movement of knocker or striking finger 25 through the member 29 as the actuating rod 21 is moved horizontally and the point 2st, to which the end of the knocker or striking finger is secured, moves toward or away from. the As is evident from the con struction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the member 29 controls the direction in which the free end of knocker or striking finger is presented when the actuating rod 21 is moved; for example when the spring 27 is compressed, which is the case when the door or doors are closed as will be hereinafter described, the actuating rod 21 togetherwith the point of connection 24 will be moved toward the left in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the knocker or striking finger 25 will be presented in the direction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, that is with the free end thereof presented toward the door A.

One manner of mounting member 29 is very clearly set forth in Fig. 6, wherein the plate or member 28 is provided with suitable openings or bearings to receive the trunnions 29 which permit the member 29 to oscillate horizontally as is clearly evi dent from the construction. The mechanism, that has heretofore been described, is that part of the invention which is secured to the door or gate with which it is to move.

We will now describe the part of the mechanism which is intended to be secured to the elevator-cab and be operated by the previously described mechanism. This part of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive and Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive. As shown in the first figures of the drawings, this second part of the invention comprises a suitable switchbox 30 which may be secured at any suitable point on the elevatorcab C, being preferably shown located withinthe elevator-cab C and to the front wall thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

In the particular exemplification of the invention, the electrical current control or switch mechanism comprises the mercury bottle or holder 31. made of suitable insulating material, one end whereof is preferably provided with a' closed opening in order that access to the mercury bottle or holder may be had. The holder or bottle 31 is preferably cylindrical in shape and provided with the trunnions 32', 32, at a point intermediate of the ends of the holder and of equaldistance from the ends; and these trunnions have bearing in the side brackets or frame 33 so that the mercury holder or bottle '31 may oscillate verticallv on the pivotal points or trunnions 32, and permit the mercury to flow from one end of the holder to the other during oscillation of the holder; it being understood, of course, that the holder or bottle 31 is only partially filled with mercury, namely just sufficient to cover or reach from contact point to contact point, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. In order that the holder or bottle may be properly supported, we prefer to provide the bottom of the cabinet or box 30 with the supporting block 34 having the oppositely inclined surfaces meeting at a point immediately beneath the axis about which the holder or bottle oscillates.

One end of the bottle or holder 31 is provided with the two opposing contact points or electrodes, of metal that will not be affected by or amalgamate with the mercury, the outer ends whereof are shown at 85, 35, see Figs. 7 and 9, to which are secured the lead lines or wires 36 and 37, which are also secured to the posts 38 and 89 respectively, see Fig. 8, which posts are properly secured to a suitable insulating block as at 40. These posts also receive the terminals 41 and 41 of one of the lines 42 of the main circuit of the elevator controller whereby the current to the elevator operating motor is controlled. It is understood, of course, that the switch mechanism of our invention, as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, and 9, is preferably placed in series with the circuit which applies the brakes as well as opens the circuit-breaker which feeds the operating motor of the elevator, so that the position of the switch mechanism of our invention will control or open the electrical circuit controlled by the controller of the elevator. The various lead lines just. de-

scribed are properly insulated from each other; and in order that the main line 42,

which extends through the slot 43 of the box additional electrical circuits or wiring of the elevator-shaft and, therefore, provides a much more satisfactory and inexpensive construction. I

To the upper surface of the bottle or holder 31, we secure the bowed member 45 as very clearly shown in Fig. 7 arranged lengthwise of theholder 31 and engaged by the finger or member 46 which is pivotally secured at 47 to the body of the cab C. The member 46 extends through a suitable slot formed in the switch box 30 and a registering slot in the cab of the elevator as clearly shown at 48 in Fig. 9. Member 46 is provided with any suitable pivotal point 47 which will permit the member 46 to oscillate in a horizontal direction across the top of arcuate member 45.

' member 46 is operatively connected to the '30. The invention obviates thenecessity for.

The outer end of length as very clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 1 3; and in order that it may have sufficient support and be held against accidental movement from the perpendicular position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, we show the upper and lower ends thereof provided with suitable pivotal points as at 50, 50, of any suitable construction that will permit the sidewise oscillation of rod 49. The rod 49 is attached on the outside of the forward wall of the elevator-cab as clearly shown in Fig. 1 and arranged to extend into the path of oscillation of the knocker or striking finger 25 when'the latter is oscillated through the operation of the door to which the actuating rod 21 is secured. The knocker or striking finger 25 is preferably made of flexible material such as a closely coiled spring as illustrated in the drawings, in order that it may have a yielding contact with rodor bar 49 and slip past the same after the bar or rod 49 has been oscillated in the direction of movement of the free end of striking finger or knocker 25, thereby permitting the free end of thestriking finger or knocker 25 to move or spring to the opposite side of bar 49 and be in'position to strike bar 49 on its opposite side and move it in the opposite direction when knocker or striking finger 25 is returned to its original or normal position.

In the application of our invention to a situation where double doors are employed as shown in Fig. 1, the adjacent door B is provided with a suitable stop 51 so arranged as to engage the adjacent end of actuating rod 21 when the doors are in closed posi tionas shown in Fig. 1. When the doors are closed, the actuating rod 21 will be forced in the direction in which door A travels when moved to open position, namely in a direction against the action of spring. 27

thereby compressing spring 27 and placing. actuating rod 21 under pressure tending to &

It is evident from the construction that when the doors are separated and moved to open position, spring 27 will move actuating rod 21 toward the opposite door B, and as stop 51 will be moved away with door B, movement of rod 21 will not be interfered with. By reason of the operative relation between actuating rod 21 and knocker or striking finger 25, the latter will be oscillated by means of pivoted member 29, thereby swinging the free end of finger 25 from one side of its vertical axis to the other. In this movement of finger 25, rod or bar 49 will be likewise oscillated from one side of its axis or pivotal point t? to the other, as is clearly evident from the detailed view of Fig. 9, thereby moving the inner end of finger or member 16, which in turn will tilt the mercury holder or bottle 31 sufficiently to allow the mercury to run from one end of the holder to the other, namely to the end removed from the two contact points or electrodes 35, thus breaking or opening the circuit. As this circuit constitutes the main circuit whereby the brakes and elevator operating motor is controlled, it is apparent that it will be impossible to operate the elevator with the doors of the elevator, or the landing at which the elevator has stopped, in open position.

In order that the operator of the elevator may know the condition of the switch mechanism and, therefore, of the electrical circuit, the front or lid 30 of the switch box is preferably provided with a sight opening 30 which is preferably provided with transparent material as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 to permit the position of the switch to be determined and at the same time prevent any undue manipulation thereof; the lid 30 being preferably locked in place by a suitable lock as at 30.

The particular type of switch mechanism illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive may be altered and any type of switch employed which may be operated by a knooker or striking member. For example, in Fig. 10, we illustrate what is known as a knife switch wherein the inner end of member at? is made in the nature of a blade adapted to make contact with the clips or contact points 35. The blade portion of member 16* is, of course, properly insulated from the remainder or body portion thereof, and is also provided with a similar pivot 47 as in the construction shown in Fig. 9, while the other end of the member 46* is secured to the vertically disposed rod or bar 19.

Instead of employing the actuating mechanism shown in Figs. f and 5, the actuating rod 21 may constitute a single member as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, with one end of therod 21 provided with the two cords 01' chains 52 which are preferably shown secured to the pivoted members 53 so as to allow free movement of the cord or chains. The other ends of the chains or cords 52 are secured to the peripheries or in the grooves of the sheaves 541, 54, fixedly secured to the vertically disposed shaft 55 which latter has suitable bearings in the housing or bracket 56. 1V e prefer to employ the two cords or chains in order that an equal pull may be exerted on both sides of the actuating rod or bar 21 and thus obviate the tendency to pull the end of the rod out of alinement. The pulleys or sheaves 54: are secured to shaft 55 on opposite sides of the actuating rod or bar 21 as clearly shown; and the shaft 55 is maintained under constant tension by the coil spring 57, one end whereof is shown secured to the casing or bracket 56, while the other end is secured to collar or member 58 fixedly secured to the lower end of shaft 55 so that the action of coil spring 57 will be imparted to shaft 55 through the medium of the collar 58. It is apparent that the rotating tendency of shaft 55, places actuating bar or rod 21 under constant pressure by means of the pull exerted on cords or chains 52, which latter will be wound about the pulleys or sheaves 54 when shaft 55 is rotated, thereby moving rod 21 toward the opposite side of the gate A. The lower part of housing or bracket 56 is provided with a horizontally disposed slot 59 through which the free end of striking fingcr or knocker 25 extends. The finger 25 is secured to the collar 58, and, therefore, oscillates with collar 58 when shaft 55 is rotated; the outer end of finger or knocker 25 swinging from one end of slot 59 to the other. The finger or knocker 25*, like knocker or finger 25, is made flexible, so that it may have a yielding relation or contact with vertically disposed rod or bar 4:9, so that after it has moved the latter in the direction of movement of the finger, it will slip past the rod or bar 49 when the latter has reached the limit of its movement or oscillation, at which time merely the end of finger 25 will be in contact with rod 49. The inner end of the finger 25" will swing through a larger arc than that described by rod 49, which is made possible by reason of the fact that finger 25 is preferably made of coiled wire, so that the tendency will be for the free end of finger 25 to spring or slip past rod 4:9 after the latter has reached the limit of its oscillation.

In order that the actuating rod 21, as well as the modified form 21, may have free movement horizontally, we prefer to pro vide it with anti-friction bearings as shown at 60, 60, in the frame 20 of the construc tion shown in Fig. 4 and 60 in the construction illustrated in Fig. 11.

In addition to the elevator controlling mechanism just described, we also disclose auxiliary mechanism whereby the gates or doors of the shaft will be locked in closed position, in addition to the usual latch, and whereby the motive power for the elevatorwill be controlled if a gate in some manner should have been opened previous to the arrival of the elevator. This part of our invention comprises a gate lock which consists 'of the member or latch 61, pivoted at the point 62, so as to swing horizontally and into the path of the gate A, as disclosed in Fig. 14, where the gate is shown in closed position, and the gateway is shown in dotted lines at A; the latch member 61, however, being shown in retracted position to permit the gate to be opened. The latch member 61 is preferably provided with the protruding end 61 adapted to engage with one edge or end of the gate. The other short end of latch 61 is preferably provided with a roller 63 which is adapted to en age with the block or shoe 6 1 secured to the front face of the elevator cab C; the block or shoe 6% being provided with oppositely beveled ends as more clearly shown in Fig. 3 at 64 and 64". The shoe or block 64 is preferably secured near the bottom of the cab C, by any suitable bracket. The pivotal point 62 is secured to the wall D of the shaft in proximity to the floor or landing as very clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 13. Secured to the wall D of the shaft is a flat spring member 65 which bears against one side of latch 61 so as to normally maintain the end 61 in the path of the gate A and prevent travel or movement of the gate. The spring 65 is preferably extended upward some little distance and has its free or upper end provided with a horizontally disposed striking finger or knocker 66 extending toward the elevator cab C as very clearly shown in Fig.

14. This striking finger or knocker 66 is also preferably formed of closely coiled wire so as to provide sufficient stiffness and yet at the same time have flexibility to permit the end thereof to slip past the members it is intended to contact with or operate. At predetermined points the member or shoe 64 is provided with slots of suitable size as shown at 64, 64, see Fig. 3, in which are bring the striking finger orknocker 66 into position where it engage with the arms or levers 67 and 68. The levers or arms 67 and 68 are pivotally secured to block or shoe 6% at predetermined points, s0 that the relation between them and the striking finger 66 is such that oneof the levers or arms,

namely the one inadvance of the other, de-

pending upon the direction in which the elevator is moving, will have passed beyond the path of the striking finger or knocker 66 by the time the latter is in striking posi- 'tion through the movement of latch 61 caused by its engagement with block or shoe.

Furthermore, roller 63 will be in contact with the beveled surface'at the opposite end of shoe 64, before the other orsucceeding lever reaches the path of knocker 66, which latter will have receded sufliciently to be out of striking position, so that no interference with the travel of the elevator is had under normal conditions of the doors. For illus-. tration, assuming that the elevator C is moving upwardly, it will be apparent that roller 68 will first engage surface 6% ofblock or shoe 6 1 and by reason of the beveled surface the roller end of latch member 61 will be moved away from the elevator-cab and against the action of spring member 65,

thereby moving the latch end of member 6 1" out of the path. of the gate.

The arm or lever 67 is secured to block or shoe 6% at such point that it will have passed beyond the finger 66 by the time the latter is out in striking position through the action of nae spring member 65, which position will only be established when the roller 63of latch ,member 61 is in contact with the surface intermediate of the beveled portions 64: and

64 of block or shoe 64:, so that the striker or knocker 66 will have no effect on lever or arm 67 and will have returned, or substantially so, to normal position before the lever 68 reaches the path of finger 66.

The levers or arms 67 and 68 are opera tively connected togetherby means of the cord or chain 69, see Fig. 13; the end of the cord or chain 69 being secured to the short arm of lever 68 and to lever 67 at a point intermediate of its ends, and from there it' is led upwardly into a box E which is intended to be secured to the front outer face of the elevator-cab C as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 13. The boX E is provided with a suitable opening in'the bottom there of through which the cord or chain 69 passes, and the interior of the box is provided with a suitable sheave 70, at a point in proximity to the opening in the boX, over which the cord or chain 69 passes, as very clearly shown in Fig. 15. The cord or chain 69 is also led about a pulley or sheave 71 mounted at the end of a plunger 72, with the end of the cord or chain 69 being fixedly secured a the point 76 to the box E. Plunger 72 is slidably mounted in the box E and is maintained in an inward or retracted position by means of spring 74, one, end whereof is shown bearing against the box interior while the other end bears against a suitable stop or collar 75 secured to plunger 72. The other end of plunger 72 may be given any suitable head or engaging surface and is arranged in proximity to the rod 49 which controls the electric switch mounted in box 30 and previously described. The plunger 72 is adapted to have movement substantially at right angles to rod 49 so as to move rod 49 in a manner similar to the movement imparted thereto by the striker or knocker 25 hereinbefore described.

We will assume that in some manner or other a gate of the elevator-shaft has been opened before the elevator has reached the landing on which the opened gate is located.

Opening of the gate will, of course, cause latch 61 to move spring member 65 with the striker or finger 66 into the path of the ends of lever or arms 67 and 68; the open positionof the gate will also have moved actuating rod 21 in such manner as to swing knocker or finger 25 in a direction out of operative position so far as rod 49 is concerned, and, therefore, when the elevator cab approaches the open gate (we will assume that the elevator is coming upwardly) the electric switch will not be operated through the medium of striker or knocker 25. The position of striker 66, however, is such that it will engage with the free end of arm or lever 67 during the upward movement of the cab, and this engagement will pull. arm or lever 67 downwardly there by drawing cord or chain 69 with it, which, in turn, will force plunger 72 outwardly against the action of its spring 74. This outward movement of plunger 72 will cause the same to strike rod 49 and in turn oscillate member 46 and thereby throw the switch controlling the electrical circuit of the elevator, so that the motive power for the elevator will be shut off and prevent the elevator continuing beyond the open door. Assuming a similar condition namely that one of the gates has been opened and the elevator is descending, it is evident that the long arm of lever 68 will be engaged by knocker or finger 66, thereby forcing the short arm of lever 68 downwardly and causing a pull on cord or chain 69 in a manner similar to that previously described with reference to lever or arm 67 during the upward movement of the elevator. It is apparent, therefore, that this auxiliary mechanism will prevent the elevator passing any door that may have been opened for repair or in any improper manner before the arrival of the elevator at the landing on which the door is open.

As previously stated, the relation between the pivotal points of arms or levers 67 and 68 and the length of the beveled surfaces 64 and 64 of block or shoe 64, is such that the free ends of the levers or arms 67 and 68, respectively, will be past the knocker or finger 66 during the normal operation of the elevator and doors before the finger 66 is brought into striking position. This fact will enable the elevator-cab to continue past the respective landings, if a stop is not desired, unless the gates have been moved to open position, when the mechanism would operate as previously described. It is apparent from the construction shown and described that it is a downward movement of lever 67 and an upward movement of the long arm of lever 68, that will induce operation of plunger 72, and thereby throw the electric switch.

WVe have shown and described our invention in connection with an electrically operated elevator, but it will be readily understood that the mechanism is equally as well adapted for use in connection with elevators operated by difi'erent motive power; for ex.- ample, the invention may be applied in connection with a hydraulic elevator, in which event an auxiliary electrical circuit would be necessary to control or affect the controller so as to lock it in neutral on inoperative position.

WVe have shown and described what we believe to be the simplest and best forms of our invention, but it will be readily understood that the mechanism may be altered in various minor details without, however, departing from the spirit of our invention. and we do not wish to be understood, therefore, as limiting ourselves to the precise construction and arrangement herein set forth.

What we claim is l. Mechanism of the class described, comprising a switch adapted to be located on the elevator-cab and in the main circuit of the elevator-cab, said switch being provided with a portion extending intermediate of the cab and the walls of the elevator shaft, an actuating rod carried by the gate, and means adapted to be affected by said actuating rod so as to move across the path of the extended portion of said switch when the gate is moved to open and closed position, respectively, whereby the switch is operated and the circuit controlled, in combination with auxiliary means controlled by the position of the elevator gates, and carried by the elevator-cab and adapted to control said switch, said means being operable by said auxiliary means when a gate in advance of the elevator-cab, relative to the direction of travel of the cab, is open.

2. Mechanism of the class described, comprising a switch arranged in series with a controlling electric circuit of the elevatorcab, a locking member for the elevator gate,

means adapted to be aifected by sai'd'mem her when the latter is moved into unlocking position, and means carried by the elevatorcab and adapted to be placed into operative relation with said switch through the action of said first mentioned means whereby the switch is operated when the cab approaches said locking member thereby opening said electric circuit.

3. Mechanism of the class described, comprising a switch arranged inseries with the main electric circuit of the elevator-cab whereby said circuit may be controlled, a

' locking member secured adjacent to the elevator gate whereby the latter is locked in closed position, means secured to the ele- "vator-caband arranged to control said lock ing member when the elevator reaches a pre-- determined point in its travel, a portion of saidmeans being arranged to have operative relation with said switch, and means intermediate of said locking member and a portion of the means on the elevator-cab wherebysaid portion will be actuated and the switch operated so as to open the main'circuit of the elevator.

means carried by the gate and provided with an oscillatingly mounted portion adapted to move when the gate is opened and closed,

respectively, and mechanism mounted on .the elevator-cab and arranged in the path of said oscillatingly mounted portion so as to be moved thereby, said mechanism hav-' ing controlling relation with said switch whereby the latter is operated and said'circuit either opened or closed.

5. Mechanism of the class described, com-' prising, in combination with an electric circuit, a switch in series with SzIlCl CITCUIt,

whereby said circuit is controlled,*an actu ating member arranged on the elevator gate,

I said member being adapted to have initial movement opposite to that of the gate and arranged to control said switch whereby the latter is thrown during the opening and closing of the gate so as to open and close, respectively, the main circuit of the elevator.

6. Mechanism of the class described, com

prising a switch adapted to be located on the elevator-cab and 111 a controlling circuit of said cab, anengaging member pivotally mounted on the elevator-caband having 013- erative relation with said switch and extending intermediate of the elevator-cab and oscillatingly mounted striking member con- "arranged to swing laterally across the path "of said engaging member so as to move the {latter and thereby throw the switch and open or close said circuit of the elevator during the opening or closing of the elevator gates.

. 7. Mechanism of theclass described, comprising a switch arranged in series'with the main circuit of the elevator-cab whereby said circuit may be controlled, a spring controlled actuating member carried by the elevator gate and having initial movement op' posite to that of the gate, and oscillating means intermediate of said member and the switch whereby the latter is operated and the main circuit opened or closed during the opening or closing ofthe elevator gate.

8. Mechanism of the class described, comprising a switch adapted to be located on the elevator-cab and in series with the main circuit of the elevator whereby said circuit may be controlled, a member oscillatingly mounted on the cab and operatively connected with said switch, a second member carried by the elevator gate, and an oscillating member opcratively connected with the secondmember and arranged to move across the path of the first mentioned member whereby the latter is moved and the switch opera-ted so as to open or close said circuit said portion of the spring controlled means,

said second means having operative engage- 'ment with the switch whereby the latter is thrown when the first mentioned means has beenaffected by the operation of the gate,

'1 auxiliary means adapted to be held in oper- .ZttlVEPOSltlOIl when the gate is open, and

means mounted on the elevator-cab and adapted to operate the second mentioned means when the elevator-cab reaches said auxiliary means and the gate is open.

10. Mechanism of the," class described, comprising, in combination with an electric 'circuit,.aswitch arranged in series with said circuit so as to control the same, means adapted to be afiiectedthrough movement of the walls of the elevator shaft, a spring controlled actuatingmemberadapted to be carried by the elevator gate and arranged to" move initially in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the gate, and an.

the elevator gate, means whereby the first mentioned means is returned to normal position when the gate is moved to closed position, tripping mechanism, mounted on the elevator-cab, adapted to be actuated by said first mentioned means and arranged to have operative relation withthe switch whereby and closing of the elevator gates and the electric circuit opened or closed, respectively, and meanswhereby said electric circuit will be controlled when the elevator reaches a predetermined point in its travel relative to a previously opened elevator gate.

11. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with an electric circuit, a switch in series with said circuit whereby the latter is controlled, an actuating member arranged on the elevator gate adapted to control said switch so as to move the latter during opening and closing of the gate and thereby open and close said circuit of the elevator, respectively, a locking member for securing the elevator gate in closed position, means secured to the elevator-cab, one portion whereof is arranged to control said locking member when the elevator reaches a predetermined point in its travel, while a second portion is arranged to have operative relation with said switch, and means intermediate of said locking member and said second portion adapted to be controlled by the locking member whereby said means will be moved into a position where said second portion will be actuated when the locking member is in unlocking position and the elevator is moved a predetermined distance, thereby operating the switch and opening said circuit.

12. Mechanism of the. class described, comprising, in combination with an electric circuit, a switch in series with said circuit whereby the latter is controlled, an actuating member arranged on the elevator gate adapted to control said switch so as to move the latter during the opening and closing of the gate and thereby open and close said circuit of the elevator, a locking member for securing the elevator gate in closed position, means whereby said locking member is normally held in locking position, said means being provided with an engaging or striking portion, and means secured to the elevator-cab, the intermediate portion whereof is arranged to control said locking member when the elevator reaches a predetermined point in its travel relative to said locking member, while the second portion of said means is pivotally mounted at opposite ends of said first mentioned portion and is adapted to have operative relation with said switch whenthe engaging or striking portion of the locking member holding means is moved into the path thereof through the opening of the elevator gate in advance of the elevator-cab relative to the travel thereof.

13. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the controlling circuit of an elevator, a switch adapted to be located on the elevator cab and in series with said circuit, means carried by the gate and provided with a pivotally mounted striking member, means where by the free or striking end of said striking member is given oscillatory movement when the gate is opened or closed, and mechanism mounted on the elevator cab and arranged to come into the path of said striking member so as to be moved thereby, said mechanism having controlling relation with said switch so that the latter will be operated thereby and said circuit either opened or closed.

14:. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the controlling circuit of an elevator, a switch adapted to be located on the elevator cab and in series with said circuit, spring controlled means carried by the gate and adapted to reciprocate initially in a direction opposite to the direction ofmovement of the gate, a striking member pivotally secured to said means, a pivoted member having controlling engagement with said striking member whereby the free end of the striking member is given movement opposite to that of said spring controlled means, and an engaging member pivotally secured to the elevator cab, having operative engagement with the switch, and adapted to come into the path of said striking member whereby the engaging member is moved and the switch afi'ected so as to either open or close said circuit.

15. Mechanism of the class described, comprising, in combination with the controlling circuit of an elevator, a switch adapted to be located on the elevator cab and in series with said circuit, a bracket secured to the elevator gate, a spring controlled rod reciprocatingly mounted in said bracket and adapted to have movement initially in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the gate, a flexible striking member pivotally secured to said rod, pivoted means arranged to control the free or striking end of said striking member whereby the free end of the striking member is given movement in a direction opposite to the movement of said reciprocating rod, and an engaging member pivotally mounted on the elevator cab and adapted to come into the path of said striking member, said engaging member having controlling relation with said switch so asto open and close the switch during the opening and closing, respectively, of the elevator gate.

FRANK M. FITZGERALD. RALPH S. HATCH.

Witnesses:

GEORGE HEIDMA'N, R. E. WIGHTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

